[Transcript]  Mosaic News - 04/29/08: World News From The Middle East

Presenter, MALE #1:
Once again, the legitimacy of trying prominent members of the previous Iraqi regime is being raised. Today, the first hearing will begin for the trial of Tarek Aziz, the most prominent figure of the late Iraqi President, Saddam Hussein. The point of difference in this trial is that Aziz will be tried as a defendant in a criminal case for ordering the execution of Iraqi merchants at a time when he was in a diplomatic position as the Iraqi Foreign Minister.

Reporter, FEMALE #1:
He lost the hope, which he had five years ago, when he voluntarily surrendered himself to the US forces in order to avoid standing trial. The name Tarek Aziz appeared in the case of the execution of 42 Iraqi merchants in 1992 during the siege that was imposed on the country after the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. Also being charged in the case are seven senior officials of the Saddam era, including Ali Hassan Al Majid, known as Chemical Ali. Many observers took note when they learned about accusations against Tarek Aziz, given he played diplomatic role for the country.

Guest, MALE #2:
His duties were related to political and foreign issues. I am surprised by the presence of his name in this case.

Reporter, FEMALE #1:
The most distinguished aspect of this trial is that the judge is Rauf Rashid Abdul Rahman, who sentenced to death the late Iraqi President Saddam Hussein in 2006. The accusation of executing Iraqi merchants appears different from previous trials because it does not have political or sectarian overtones. In this case, the court charged all the members of the Revolutionary Leadership Council, including Tarek Aziz. Away from the political and legal debates, only the families of the victims view this trial as an answer to questions, which had remained unanswered for 16 years.

Guest, MALE #2:
At the time, I asked them, where are you taking my father? They said, we want ask him questions and then we will bring him back. They never brought him back since that day.

Reporter, FEMALE #1:
Another wound is being re-opened in a country that appears to be in a constant state of suffering. This time between the victims and the victimizers.

PRESENTER, MALE #1
In another development, the Israeli Prime Minister, Ehud Omert, vowed to continue the military operations in the Gaza Strip. During a meeting for his government, Olmert said that as long as the launching of rockets at the Israelis continues, the Israeli army will continue its military action. In addition, Olmert expressed regret over what he referred to as a “tragic incident” that resulted in the death of a mother and her 4 children in Beit Hanoun yesterday.

REPORTER, MALE #2
The situation in the Gaza Strip returned to dominate the agenda of the Israeli government. While the Israeli cabinet failed to adopt a clear position regarding whether it accepts or rejects the cooling off period proposed by the Palestinian resistance factions, the Israeli Prime Minister briefly hinted around it, hoping that the Palestinian factions will stop rocket attacks on Israel. Olmert started the meeting by offering his deep regrets over the killing of a Palestinian mother and her 4 children in Beit Hanoun, and held Hamas responsible for the death of Palestinian civilians.

GUEST #3, Olmert
I hope that the terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip will stop their attacks on Israeli civilians. As long as they continue their attacks, we have no choice but to fight them; we deeply regret the fall of Palestinian civilians who have no relations with the terrorists.

REPORTER, MALE #2
However, some Israeli ministers were clearer than Olmert, and rejected completely the cooling off period.

GUEST, MALE #4
The Israeli defense army must continue its military operations in Gaza day night, and must do so until the terrorists surrender.

REPORTER, Male #2
A firmer position than that of Olmert was adopted by the Israeli Defense Minister, Ehud Barak. During a tour near the apartheid wall in the West bank, Barak summed up his position in two words:

GUEST, MALE #5, Barak
I believe that we are engaged in a confrontation with Hamas, and not in a cooling off period. This is the right description of the situation.

REPORTER, MALE #2
Meanwhile, the Palestinian side, which discussed with the Quartet’s envoy, Tony Blair, the situation in the West Bank and accused Israel of failing to meet its obligations regarding the military checkpoints, expressed hope for the success of truce efforts in the Gaza Strip.

GUEST, MALE #6
The cooling off period is a very important process; if it’s implemented, it will help ease the suffering of our people in the Gaza Strip. Egypt is exerting serious efforts in this direction; these efforts come in the context of ongoing consultation with our Egyptian brothers.

REPORTER, MALE #2
Amidst this, the Palestinian resistance factions continue launching cross-border rocket attacks on Israeli towns, inflicting causality among the Israelis and causing property damage. It seems that the Israeli position regarding the cooling off period is still ambiguous, as Israel keeps one door open for a truce while keeping another for an escalation. By adopting this duel position, Israel wants to show that it’s not negotiating with an organization such as Hamas, which has labeled as a terrorist entity; with this, Israel wants to mandate its conditions for any truce. Ilias Karam, Al-Jazeera, West Jerusalem.

PRESENTER, MALE #1
Israel’s Deputy Prime Minister, Shaoul Mofaz, said that returning the Golan Heights to Syria will give Iran a foot on a strategic area overlooking Israel. With this, Mofaz rejected what was attributed to his Prime Minister by his Turkish counterpart that Israel is willing to withdraw from the Golan in exchange for peace with Syria.

PRESENTER, FEMALE #1
In a speech to the Israeli army broadcasting station, Mofaz said Syria is part of a radical alliance, and the Israeli withdrawal from the Golan Heights means that Iran will be there.

REPORTER, FEMALE #2
As soon as the shadow of Erdogan left from Damascus, and after saying that Olmert was willing to withdraw from the Golan in exchange for peace, an Israeli voice came out from Washington, warning against even the thought of leaving the Golan. Shaoul Mofaz lashed out at the messages exchanged between his Prime Minister and his party with Syria.
From a standpoint of the former chief of staff for the Israeli army, Mofaz didn’t see in the Golan Heights more than a strategic hill overlooking northern Israel. According to Mofaz, if the Golan is returned to Syria, which is a close ally of nuclear Iran, the Iranians will set a strategic foot there, overlooking an entity that their president wants to wipe off the map. Regardless whether Mofaz comments show a fluctuation in the internal Israeli position over the major issues or whether his comments undermine Olmert’s political credibility, this disparity raises questions regarding the seriousness of Olmert’s proposal from the start; which some believe was politically motivated and aims at dismantling Syria’s alliance with Iran. It seems that Olmert wants to drag Syria into endless negotiations, similar to those previous talks, which have lasted more than 10 years without any fruitful results regarding the Golan Heights that has been occupied since 1967. Away from the objective and timing of Mofaz’ comments, the place where they were made is also questionable. Mofaz issued his remarks after talking with the US Secretary of State, following a strategic security meeting that is held periodically between the two allies. While Rice didn’t comment on the statement issued by Mofaz, many believe that the US message to Syria arrived several days ago, when Washington showed pictures of what it described as a Syrian nuclear reactor shelled last year by Israel. Washington further claimed that Syria wants to possess a military nuclear program.
Mofaz said that Hezbollah is in control of southern Lebanon and the UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which was issued after the Israeli war on Lebanon nearly 2 years ago, has been taken out of context. In brief, Mofaz said that the radical alliance led by Iran is gaining momentum, and this situation must be changed; what more important is that Mofaz discussed with Rice ways to accomplish just that.

[Summary]

Israeli head of army intelligence has stated that Hamas is planning a major attack for Independence Day, which could include the kidnapping of soldiers.

[Summary]

Ahmed Abu Megteg of Gaza explains the horrific scene of his family being killed while at home by an Israeli missile.

PRESENTER, FEMALE #1
Parliament Member and the Head of Lebanese Majority, Saad Al-Hariri, expressed his support for a dialogue with the opposition provided that it will lead to the election of a president during the upcoming parliamentary session set for May 13, 2008. In an earlier announcement, the Head of the Lebanese Parliament and a top opposition leader, Nabih Berri, called for a dialogue between the opposition and the majority to help resolve the political crisis that has rocked the country for more than a year and a half. Meanwhile, the former Lebanese Prime Minister, Salim Al-Houss, said that his country was looking forward to a Saudi sponsored initiative aimed at resolving the suffocating political crisis in Lebanon.

REPORTER, FEMALE #2
Every time the sun shines in Lebanon and Shahrazad stops telling her stories, the Lebanese postpone another parliamentary session to elect their president; thus, taking their country back to point zero. Having said that, the next parliamentary session scheduled for May 13, may get postponed as well, especially if the political situation continues unchanged. When will this political seesaw end? As odd as it may seem, the Republic of Lebanon is being used as scapegoat for the election of its President. Meanwhile, the Head of the Lebanese Parliament, Nabih Berri, proposed a political solution. Berri proposed an end to parliamentary sit-ins in central Beirut provided the government shows serious intention to hold elections and launch a Lebanese based dialogue aimed at saving the Arab initiative before the situation spirals out of control.
Will Berri succeed in mixing oil with water?

GUEST, MALE #1
In principle, we welcome and accept the proposed dialogue. However, we first need to agree on the agenda, and second the dialogue must lead to the election of the president. We can’t engage in a detailed dialogue at a time the country is witnessing a presidential vacuum.

GUEST, MALE #2
The Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad talked about the positive positions adopted by Egypt and Saudi Arabia. In addition, the Turkish Prime Minster conveyed a message to Al-Assad regarding his country’s relationship with Israel. Meanwhile, the US is trying to exit from Iraq with minimum losses and there are \indirect talks going on between Hamas and Israel. All these political developments can help resolve the internal situation in Lebanon, which is linked to national, regional and international issues.

REPORTER, FEMALE #2
Despite the fact that the majority has agreed to a conditional dialogue with the opposition, and despite the fact that some positive indicators surfaced at the international level, the Lebanese have their doubts about the success of the proposed dialogue, especially knowing that the decision came from outside the country. The Lebanese disagreement over the language of power sharing comes in the context of a rather larger Arab, regional, and international competitive influence in Lebanon. However, the Lebanese have no choice but to keep a window of opportunity open, hoping that their political leadership doesn’t waste any more of their time, especially considering that the Head of the Lebanese Army, General Mishel Suliaman, has repeatedly announced that he will step down as the Lebanese top military commander by August 21, 2008. This gives a 4 month grace period for all Lebanese politicians to decide on many issues, including the fate of the Arab initiative and the fate of the Lebanese military institution. The slogan of the opposition:” political power sharing in exchange for elections” is, by and large, similar to that slogan: “land for peace,” which, to this day, has not materialized. This suggests that the future of Lebanon will be dark and the road to recovery will be lengthy, thorny, and costly. For Madar Program, Ula Al-Malah, Abu Dhabi Channel, Beirut.

Presenter, MALE #1:
Cattle ranchers in the Bekaa region are confronting a tough battle to continue their work amidst complete absence of official support.

Reporter, FEMALE #1:
Cattle ranchers in the Bekaa region are engaged in a damaging war, whose weapons are neglect and lack of concern from the government on one side and cheese and milk factory owners, on the other. They know that climate change and the effects of various wars are also playing a part. The losses have touched all farms, large and small: the smaller farms, however, are even more negatively affected. The absence of preventive measures to confront the rise in seed prices and the lack of necessary support to farmers have led to the selling off of more than 75% of agricultural lands at cheap prices. In addition, 200 out of 400 farms have closed down to stop losses and pay back loans.

Guest, MALE #2:
We have three factories in the Bekkaa that are monopolizing the prices. We are selling the cattle in order to pay for the feed. Most farmers are selling in order get out of debt. We appeal to the government to help us a little with the tough situation in the Bekaa.

Guest, MALE #3:
The price of a ton of cattle feed today is 700,000 liras and the price of a ton of milk is 850,000 liras. The situation is not good and uncomfortable for the farmers. Anyone who has a farm is selling. In our village of Marj we had up to 2000 heads of cattle. Now, we have 1000 to 1200 heads. Half of the cattle in Marj are gone.

Reporter, FEMALE #1:
The fall in the price of milk was met with the global rise in the price of feed. The price of one ton of feed is 520,000 Lebanese liras. The price last year was 120,000 liras.

Guest, MALE #4:
The vast majority of cattle ranchers here in Lebanon have has small farms. Those who have fewer than 20 heads of cattle are in need of support to raise their cattle. A large number of them are selling their cattle because they do not have the ability to guarantee the necessary cattle feed for their cattle as a result of an increase in prices.

Reporter, FEMALE #1:
This man called on the Ministry of Agriculture to secure medicines for the cattle, to provide guidance and support for this industry as well as to prevent the export of certain amounts feed in order to sustain the farms in the country.

Presenter, Woman # 1
Whys is the American Embassy in Paris is interested in the French suburbs. Many French have raised this question after it was revealed that an American network have been tempting young immigrants in the suburbs especially from the Arab Maghrieb to travel to the US for two weeks to participate in cultural programs.

\Reporter, Man # 1
Ali Zahi was born in Morocco and grew up in France. Now he is the Deputy mayor of Bond, the suburb that was transformed into a battle field during the Suburbs’ crisis in 2005. Recently, the American Embassy paid for his visit to Washington and Arkansas to participate in a program that trains qualified candidates on taking leading roles in the future. Previously the French President Nicolas Sarkozy and his Prime Minister Francois Fillon were some of the beneficiaries of similar American programs. Today the program focuses on immigrants. Ali does not buy into the conspiracy theory. When he was asked about the US motives behind sponsoring projects in immigrants’ neighborhoods, he gave a pragmatic answer saying: they offer us organized projects and they are willing to pay for them, why should we reject such projects?

Guest, Man # 2
After the clashes in the suburbs in 2005, I think that the US wanted to understand what happened and why. They contacted activists who know what is happening on the ground to learn about the difficulties facing people in some areas in France. My invitation by Washington comes in this context.

Reporter, Man # 1
Some French point out that the US interests in the suburbs started after the September 11 attacks and were multiplied after the invasion of Iraq. CIA officials arrived to France to investigate news reports that commando units have been formed in the suburbs to fight in Iraq, or carry out armed operations in Europe and the world for al Qaeda. The US Embassy in Paris did not deny that this might be a factor in the American interests in the suburbs.

Guest, Man # 3
Our cultural program contributes to the enhancement of our national security in the long run. Our policy is not to ignore minorities in the world including minorities in France.

Reporter, Man # 1
The American Embassy does not view its invitations to immigrants in the suburbs to visit the US as an intervention in the internal French affairs. Rather is says that it is only interested in an important segment of the French society. The French are wondering about the American interests in its suburbs. Are the American projects innocent cultural projects? Do they stem from legitimate security concerns? Or are they geared towards empowering a minority that was portrayed as an oppressed minority by the American media during the suburbs’ crisis in 2005? Hussein Faiad Qnider, Al Arabiya, the town of Bonde, France.

Presenter, FEMALE #1:
Sham Al Naseem is one of the oldest holidays, which Egyptians have passed on throughout the centuries. All sectors of Egyptian society participate in the celebration of this holiday, the rich and the poor; Muslims and Copts. There are known foods that Egyptians eat during this occasion, mainly salted fish and colored eggs.

Reporter, MALE #1:
On this day every year, Egyptians go out to parks and gardens to celebrate the Spring Holiday or Sham Al Naseem. This celebration is not new but has its roots in ancient history, dating back 5000 years. The Pharos were the first to celebrate Sham Al Naseem, which represent the creation of life. Sham Al Naseem lands on the 25th of the month of Barimhat, according to the Coptic calendar. It is a day when the time of day and night become equal at sundown during the month of Aries. The word Sham stems from the Hieroglyphic word Shamo. Naseem represents moderate weather.

Guest, MALE #2:
It is an old Egyptian holiday. This official holiday goes back to the changes in climate at two levels. First, the start of the Spring and the start of a new season. Second, this season is linked to the beginning of flooding of the Nile. Thus, this holiday is officially celebrated because it considered the start of bounty and growth.

Reporter, MALE #1:
Just as they inherited the Sham Al Naseem holiday, traditional foods and customs associated with it were also passed down until today. Eggs, salted fish, lettuce and onions continue to be served as meals by millions of Egyptians during this celebration. All these foods have meaning according to the ancient Egyptians. For the Ancient Egyptians, eggs symbolize the transformation from solid to life as was mentioned on the papyrus, which also said that ancient people painted eggs with wishes and prayers. The Fasikh, or salted fish become an edible item during Sham Al Naseem when the fifth royal family was in power. For the Ancient Egyptians, the Nile was the symbol of life. They believed that life on earth started with water and that the fish represent this life. Ancient Egyptians innovated many unique techniques to preserve fish. There is a big difference pertaining to fish; in modern times almost every time the Sham Al Nassem holiday comes around, food alerts about bad fish are made. The parks and hospitals are put on a high state of alert.

Guest, Man # 3:
We call the Ministry of health to provide us with one or two ambulances so if we have an emergency, the visitors or their relatives can be treated or transported to the hospital.

Reporter, MALE #1:
Onions also are a main item of the Spring Holiday. For Ancient Egyptians, onions represented defiance, fighting disease and death. In Sham Al Naseem, all Egyptian celebrate together, rich or poor, Muslims and Coptic Christians celebrate just like Ancient Egyptians use to. They eat the same food that use to be eaten then and perform the same rituals. Muhammad Abu Rehab, Abu Dhabi Television, Al Urman Park, in Al Jeeza.